Isaiah 36 2

Isaiah 36:2 kjv

And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

Isaiah 36:2 nkjv

Then the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh with a great army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And he stood by the aqueduct from the upper pool, on the highway to the Fuller's Field.

Isaiah 36:2 niv

Then the king of Assyria sent his field commander with a large army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. When the commander stopped at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer's Field,

Isaiah 36:2 esv

And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem, with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field.

Isaiah 36:2 nlt

Then the king of Assyria sent his chief of staff from Lachish with a huge army to confront King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. The Assyrians took up a position beside the aqueduct that feeds water into the upper pool, near the road leading to the field where cloth is washed.

Isaiah 36 verses

Isaiah 36 2 Meaning

This verse describes the political and military maneuvering by Sennacherib, king of Assyria, against Jerusalem during the reign of Hezekiah. It details his intent to seize fortified cities and establish his dominion over them.

Isaiah 36 2 Context

This chapter marks a transition in Isaiah. Isaiah 1-35 offers prophecies, judgments, and promises concerning Israel, Judah, and surrounding nations. Chapter 36 and the following chapters (36-39) shift to historical narrative, recounting a specific event during King Hezekiah's reign in Jerusalem. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, is the primary antagonist here. The Assyrian king is depicted as making a formidable military advance, not just into Judah, but specifically targeting Jerusalem itself. This invasion is a real historical event confirmed by Assyrian annals and biblical accounts in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Sennacherib's campaign was known for its brutality and extensive conquests, instilling terror in its wake.

Isaiah 36 2 Word analysis

• וַֽיְהִי֙ (vay-hi): "and it came to pass" or "and it happened." This is a common narrative connector in Hebrew, introducing a new event or sequence.
• בַּשָּׁנָ֣ה (bash-sha-nah): "in the year."
• הָֽעֲשִׂרִ֔ית (ha-a-si-rit): "the tenth." Refers to the tenth year.
• לְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ (l'-khi-z'kiy-hoo): "to Hezekiah." The proper name of the King of Judah.
• מֶ֣לֶךְ (me-lekh): "king."
• יְהוּדָ֑ה (yə-hoo-dah): "Judah." The southern kingdom of Israel.
• בָּ֤אוּ (ba-'oo): "came" or "went." In this context, referring to military forces advancing.
• סַנְחֵרִב (san-che-riv): "Sennacherib." The specific Assyrian king.
• מֶ֣לֶךְ (me-lekh): "king."
• אַשּׁוּר (ash-shur): "Assyria." The powerful empire.
• וְעָלָ֤ה (wə-'a-lah): "and went up" or "and ascended." This often implies moving into a strategic higher position or a full-scale invasion.
• עַל־ ('al): "upon" or "against." Indicates direct opposition.
• כָּל־ (kol): "all." Emphasizing the comprehensiveness of his campaign.
• עָרֵי ('a-rei): "cities."
• הַמְּצֻרוֹת (ham-mə-tzu-rot): "the fortified ones." The strongly defended cities. This highlights the military might and intended subjugation.
• וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽם (vay-yil-kə-dam): "and he captured them." Signifying successful conquest.

Word-group analysis: The phrase "עָרֵי הַמְּצֻרוֹת" (arei ham-mə-tzu-rot), "fortified cities," collectively conveys the military objective of overwhelming defenses and seizing strategically important strongholds. The singular "עָרֵי" with a plural meaning "cities" emphasizes the widespread nature of the attack against these secure places. The verb "וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽם" (vay-yil-kə-dam) as the immediate consequence underscores Assyria's power and successful expansionist policy.

Isaiah 36 2 Bonus section

This historical event highlights a recurring theme in the Bible: the tension between human power and divine protection. Assyria represents overwhelming earthly power, while Jerusalem and Hezekiah ultimately relied on the Lord. The prophetic message leading up to and following this event often calls for faith in God rather than in alliances or fortifications (see Isaiah 7, 10, 14, 30, 31). The Assyrian perspective on this campaign is found in the Sennacherib Prism, which corroborates the biblical account of his conquests in Judah and his siege of Jerusalem, although it presents a victor's boast, claiming Hezekiah was "shut up in Jerusalem like a caged bird."

Isaiah 36 2 Commentary

Sennacherib's invasion in the tenth year of Hezekiah's reign was a direct challenge to Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. His goal was to consolidate Assyrian power by conquering the fortified cities of Judah. The Hebrew word for "fortified" implies cities with walls and defenses, meaning Sennacherib was not just passing through but actively conquering these strongholds. This event serves as a stark illustration of the geopolitical realities of the ancient Near East, where empires like Assyria regularly exerted their military dominance over weaker kingdoms. The chapter sets the stage for the psychological warfare that follows, as Sennacherib’s representatives try to undermine Judah’s faith and hope.